Timbers Weekly Update

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes will play the second leg of a two-match, home-and-home set on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., at 8 p.m. (Pacific). The Timbers defeated the Earthquakes 1-0 on April 14 at JELD-WEN Field.

Sunday's road fixture will be televised on ROOT SPORTS, with broadcasters John Strong and Jimmy Conrad on the call. Radio broadcasts will be carried on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM. The matchup will also be nationally televised in Spanish on UniMÃÂ¡s.

The Timbers (2-1-3, 9pts) captured a second straight victory and extended their current unbeaten streak to four matches with the win over the Earthquakes (2-3-2, 8pts) last weekend. With a result this Sunday in San Jose, the Timbers can match their longest overall unbeaten streak as an MLS side at five games and tie their MLS club mark for longest road unbeaten stretch at four games.

Entering the weekend in third place in the Western Conference, Portland held San Jose to just six total shots in the match last weekend - a season-low by an opponent - on its way to recording a second consecutive shutout and stretching its current run of shutout play to 222 minutes. The game-winning, free-kick goal by midfielder Will Johnson against the Earthquakes was the Timbers ninth second-half goal this season, which is tied for the league lead, and was the club's 10th goal overall, marking the most goals the Timbers have scored through the first six games of an MLS season.

The Timbers currently rank among MLS leaders in goals (10), assists (8) and shots (83), and is the only club with two players among the league's top 10 goal scorers. The club's defense sits among league leaders in fewest shots against (57) has allowed just two second-half goals, the third fewest in MLS. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts' current 222 minute shutout streak is the second-longest in the league in 2013.

Portland is unbeaten in its first six regular-season meetings (2-0-4) against San Jose since joining MLS in 2011. The Timbers have recorded draws in each of its two previous trips to Buck Shaw Stadium, including a 2-2 draw on Sept. 19, 2012. The two sides play a third and final time during the 2013 regular season on Saturday, July 27, at Buck Shaw Stadium.

The Earthquakes are unbeaten (2-0-1) in their last three home matches at Buck Shaw Stadium. San Jose played Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 1-1 draw in its previous home match on April 6. Forward Chris Wondolowski has provided three of the club's four goals scored at home and three of the club's five goals scored overall this season.

TEAM NEWS

Sunday's viewing party to be held at Portland's NEPO 42

Fans are invited to attend the Timbers' viewing party Sunday night at NEPO 42 in Portland, presented by ROOT SPORTS, at 8 p.m. (Pacific). The viewing party at NEPO 42 is open to fans of all ages and will feature food and drink specials throughout the match.

At NEPO 42, located at 5403 NE 42nd Ave, in Portland, fans can enter to win autographed Timbers gear, tickets to an upcoming Timbers match and restaurant gift cards. Timber Joey will conduct a Timbers trivia contest at halftime for additional Timbers prizes.

Timbers enter into partnership with Global Image Sports

The Timbers have entered into a strategic partnership with the Atlanta-based sports management company, Global Image Sports (GIS). The partnership will focus on player and coaching opportunities as well as enhancing the Timbers brand in both the United States and overseas.

GIS has existing partnerships with European professional clubs such as West Ham United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers from England, FC Utrecht from Holland as well as Italy's Sampdoria, Chievo Verona and the Italian Serie B league.

To learn more about GIS, visit www.globalimagesports.com.

Will Johnson's free-kick goal up for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 7

Midfielder Will Johnson's game-winner against San Jose, scored off a free kick in the 78th minute, is one of five candidates for the MLS Goal of the Week for Week 7. Click here to view the nominees and cast a vote; poll closes Thursday night.

It is the fourth Goal of the Week nomination this season for the Timbers, who have had three different players - Diego Valeri (Week 1), Rodney Wallace (Week 3) and Ryan Johnson (Week 6) - already take home Goal of the Week honors in 2013.

Johnson, Futty Danso named to MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week

The Timbers earned their second straight shutout victory in the win over San Jose, and had two players - midfielder Will Johnson and defender Futty Danso - recognized for their individual performances by landing on the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 7.

Johnson, who scored the game-winner against the Earthquakes, made his second appearance on the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week, while Danso earned his first Team of the Week honor this season. Danso made his first appearance and start of the season in the win over San Jose, contributing to the club's second straight shutout performance. Click here for the complete team of the week.

Danso was also voted the Top Defender for Week 7 among MLSsoccer.com's weekly Top Performers poll. Johnson was voted as Week 7's top performer.

Timbers, MLS WORKS launch Earth Day service project at Portland middle school

MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, and the Timbers announced Wednesday the awarding of a solar panel installation and environmental beautification to Hosford Middle School in Southeast Portland as part of the MLS WORKS/Continental Tire "How Green Are Your Goals - contest.

Representatives from MLS, the Timbers, Portland Public Schools and Continental Tire will unveil the many sustainable additions provided by MLS WORKS and Continental Tire during a special Earth Day event at Hosford Middle School on Monday, April 22; click here for project details.

MLS WORKS Greener Goals identifies ways to reduce our carbon footprint and helps raise awareness for environmental issues throughout the soccer community. The greening of our game will encourage MLS clubs, players, corporate partners and fans to create a cleaner, healthier environment.

Timbers Reserves to play University of Portland in scrimmage April 24

The Timbers Reserves will play the University of Portland in a scrimmage Wednesday, April 24, at Merlo Field on the University of Portland campus as part of the college team's spring schedule. Kickoff is 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Admission to the scrimmage is free, with a suggested donation at the door benefitting the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute's Play Smart Young Heart Screening program.

Atticus learned he had cancer last fall when he started to feel pain while playing soccer and missed his last game of the season. When he had the chance to make a wish, he chose to scrimmage the Timbers. Atticus and his teammates will take on some of his favorite Timbers players, including Darlington Nagbe, Will Johnson, Jack Jewsbury and Mikael Silvestre, at JELD-WEN Field. Timbers head coach Caleb Porter and assistant coach Sean McAuley will coach the teams.

Fans are welcome to attend the match and admission is free; doors open at 11:15 a.m. The first 100 fans will receive a commemorative scarf and free pizza from Papa Murphy's; click here for additional details.

The Timbers top development team, the Timbers U-23s, announced earlier this week its first four roster players for the upcoming Premier Development League (PDL) season. Defenders Evyn Hewett, Anthony Hobbs and Will Seymore all return for a second season and joining the team is goalkeeper Blake Hylen. Click here for more on each of the four players.

The Timbers Academy teams resume play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this weekend, as they play host to California-based clubs Santa Cruz Breakers Academy on Saturday (kickoff times: U-18s at 1 p.m.; U-16s at 3:30 p.m.) and De Anza Force on Sunday (kickoff times: U-18s at 12 noon; U-16s at 2:30 p.m.) at the adidas Timbers Training Center.

Want to take a Timbers player to school?

Fans can enter to win the opportunity to take a Timbers player to school, presented by The UPS Store. Visit any local The UPS Store to register today and, while there, pick up a 2013 schedule poster. For more information on the contest, visit www.portlandtimbers.com/theupsstore .

Timbers invite fans to "ÂSpread the Love'

The Timbers are inviting fans to nominate deserving people in the community to receive free match tickets through the club's "Spread the Love" campaign. Through special nominations by fans at www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com and the work of 107 Timbers ambassadors, fans who have not attended a Timbers match are getting their first experiences at JELD-WEN Field. Fans will be selected prior to each home match throughout the season, and will receive a special "Spread the Love" welcome packet, which includes a custom scarf, tickets to a Timbers match, a Timbers Reserves match and a Portland Thorns FC match, all in a Timbers tote bag. Visit www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com to learn more and to nominate a deserving fan today.

Timbers launch Rose City Rewards for club's season ticket holders

The Timbers have launched Rose City Rewards, a special program available to the club's season ticket holders through their Season Ticket Card. Now, season tickets holders can accrue points to achieve different rewards levels and be invited to participate in one-of-a-kind experiences, such as tours of the adidas Timbers Training Center and other exclusive Rose City Rewards events. Points can be gained by attending matches at JELD-WEN Field, watching away matches on the club's broadcast partners or by watching the club's weekly television show, "Timbers in 30," each Friday on KPTV FOX 12. Loyalty points can then be used to bid on exclusive items. Click here for more on Rose City Rewards.

To join the Timbers Season Ticket Waiting List, contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com .

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

This week's episode of "Timbers in 30" will air Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12, featuring head coach Caleb Porter as the in-studio guest.

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30" will offer inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provided analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers in 30" features can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com .

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 The Game. "Talk Timbers," provides team and league news as well as interviews with Timbers coaches and players during the season, and will also feature regular updates on Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on the show on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .